Producing Without Remorse Helped Michael B. Jordan Prepare To Direct Creed 3

Michael B. Jordan recently spoke about how his role as producer on Without Remorse helped him prepare to direct the upcoming Creed III. Without Remorse, an adaptation of the 1993 Tom Clancy novel of the same name, follows US Navy SEAL Senior Chief John Clark, out on a mission of revenge after his wife and unborn child are murdered by Russian assassins. Jordan plays Clark, and also serves as a producer on the film.

Jordan starred in both Creed films as the titular Adonis Creed – son of the late Apollo Creed from the Rocky series. The first Creed was directed by Ryan Coogler, who brought Jordan onto the project after the two worked together on Coogler’s directorial debut, Fruitvale Station. After Coogler got tapped by Marvel Studios to write and direct Black Panther, he became unavailable to direct the upcoming Creed II. Directing duties were handed over to Steven Caple Jr. While Creed II was met with critical acclaim and box office success, Caple’s return was uncertain. Eventually, it was revealed that Jordan himself would be taking over the directing duties for Creed III. The film will serve as Jordan’s directorial debut.

Speaking to Cinema Blend, Jordan spoke about how the process of producing Without Remorse helped him prepare to direct Creed III. Jordan spoke about how his entire mindset has changed since he began directing. He said he has been more hands on with Without Remorse than he has with any project before, and it helped him acclimate to the idea of having in hands in every aspect of a film. Check out his full comment below:

I mean, I think I’m looking at everything differently now that I’m directing. I’ve think from top to bottom. I think producing is something I’ve naturally always done, but I guess it’s more now in an official capacity. And when you’re looked to for the answer for almost everything as a director on a project, you have to have an opinion on everything. I think it thrusts you further into the producing on another level. So, I mean, I guess to answer your question is like, yeah, I’m way more hands on this project than I have with anything else.

Along with Jordan’s directing, another big change with Creed III was revealed when Sylvester Stallone announced he wouldn’t be returning as Rocky Balboa in the film. This marks the first time Balboa won’t make an appearance in any Rocky-related film. Jordan also spoke about the implications of making a Creed film without Stallone, and stated that although Rocky will always be a part of the franchise in a spiritual sense, Creed III will be more about pushing Adonis and his family forward.

While Jordan did produce 2019’s Just Mercy, his comments about Without Remorse point toward him taking a more proactive approach in the filmmaking process, which will likely aid him as Creed III begins shooting in late 2021. Given Jordan’s vast filmography and the fact that he has worked and studied with some of the greatest directors of modern times, his abilities as an artist will likely be more polished than most directors on their first film. But, the practical experience of running a day-to-day operation as a producer on a film like Without Remorse is also a valuable asset to have as a director – and will undoubtedly help Jordan with his duties on Creed III.

Source: Cinema Blend

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